Shevchenko: My good friend Giorgio Armani called to help Ukraine

The former Genoa and Ukraine manager has been vocal on the subject, talking to the press on a daily basis to offer updates and appeals for assistance in the wake of Russia's invasion of his homeland. Russian teams have already been barred from competing in FIFA and UEFA events as a result of the war. 

Shevchenko spoke to Corriere della Sera on whether he will return to Ukraine and what he is doing to aid his homeland. 

“I’ve thought about it many times. But it’s impossible. They closed everything down immediately. The airports were bombed first. So I decided to defend my country as I can. By telling who we are, how much we are suffering.

“By helping the victims and the refugees. Italy’s response has been exceptional. Through GoFoundMe we have collected €343,764 for the Red Cross, trauma kits, medicines, food.”

The former

player then discussed some more assistance he's gotten in recent weeks.

“Other funds have been raised by the Milan Foundation, which has put on sale reproductions of the shirts we wore in Manchester when we won the

in 2003.

“I got a call from my friend Giorgio Armani, who mobilized himself. I spoke to the mayor of Florence and the mayor of Milan. I hope to be able to announce a special initiative soon.”

Finally, Shevchenko spoke about how noteworthy Italy is to him and the need of assisting Ukrainian migrants. 

“Milan and Italy are my second home. Milan is a particularly generous city. I am sure that it will be able and willing to welcome many Ukrainians fleeing the war.

“Most of them will be children, women and elderly people, because men between 18 and 60 cannot leave the country.”

Following the commencement of the conflict,

clubs have been wearing jerseys in support of Ukraine, and a variety of efforts are presently ongoing to assist people in need as a consequence of the invasion.

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